Open Space Advisory Board Agenda and Packet 2017 12 13

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Meadow gained instant popularity with visitors. Visitation to the Dog Off -Leash Area jumped to approximately 45-50 visitors per week. As news of the Bark Park spread, management issues quickly emerged with concerns about resource degradation, parking capacity at the lot north of Stagecoach, and pedestrian crossing safety at Stagecoach Boulevard. Development of Elk Meadow Park Management Plan In 2001, JCOS began developing formal management plans for their open space areas. The first Elk Meadow Management Plan was initiated in 2001 and completed in 2003. The plan was updated every couple of years to reflect changes in resource conditions, visitor use and to provide park improvements. The last update to the Elk Meadow Park Management Plan was made in 2011, although management planning activities have been ongoing since the last Plan update. Management Unit Designations System A fundamental component for development of Park Management Plans for the JCOS system includes evaluation and designation of Park Areas into Management Units. Similar to zoning designations used for local community planning, Management Unit Designations (MUD) provide an integrated approach for JCOS to classify their properties according to ecosystem and cultural and resource protection requirements and their capability and suitability to provide opportunities for visitor experiences. MUDs provide JCOS with management guidance for different types of lands within JCOS and specify different types of uses that are to be restricted, permitted or allowed on a conditional basis. Table 2 summarizes the Management Unit Designations used by JCOS. Table 2: JCOS Management Unit Designation System 17 JCOS Management Unit Designation System Recreation & Services & Amenities Natural Area Sensitive Area Special Protection Area • Provide services & • Provide opportunities • Provide opportunities to • A Special Protection Area amenities to the visiting public while assuring the ecological integrity & for relatively large, contiguous portions of JCOS to remain as maintain portions of JCOS that are very special, fragile, biodiverse & in need of (SPA) is an overlay to a Management Unit Designation (MUD), created long-term sustainability of naturally operating preservation &protection to address any unique item the natural resources ecosystems & for habitat • Ecological & cultural resources that requires special • Outdoor recreation conservation to be are to be managed for management actions, such opportunities to enjoy & learn about the natural & balanced with public recreation preservation versus conservation as but not limited to: safety, a park access issue, natural • cultural resources found in JCOS Visitor conveniences, education programs, facilities & other amenities • Where compatible, moderate trail -based outdoor recreation opportunities may be provided to those • These areas may serve as sanctuaries, as outdoor museums resources, or as outdoor classrooms for education & research resource concerns or restoration opportunities, cultural or environmental issues, biodiversity enhancement, or other such as trailheads, parking seeking social • Preservation & protection of management opportunities lots, trails, restrooms and interaction, to naturally operating ecosystems • An SPA can be created within • shelters may be provided Can include provision of experience the sights, sounds, & smells of are the paramount considerations for these areas any MUD when specific resources face real or high quality nature -based nature, with limited • Public use will be restricted, but potential impacts or outdoor recreation opportunities concentrated & located at public access areas outdoor amenities guided interpretive services may be available opportunities that warrant special management actions 17